Fixture for sterile instruments



Dec. 7, 1954 JOUK 2,696,417

FIXTURE FOR STERILE INSTRUMENTS Filed April 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR LEON JOUK ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1954 JOUK 2,696,417

FIXTURE FOR STERILE INSTRUMENTS Filed April 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 q sI I a I ;i o m N N FIG?) INVENTOR LEON JOUK ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1954 JOUK2,696,417

I FIXTURE FOR STERILE INSTRUMENTS Filed April 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 33? I37 v I |3| 270 270 I39 14: 6 INVENTOR LEON JOUK 27 29 34 I35 I36 140I42 ATTORNEY United States Patent FIXTURE FOR STERILE INSTRUMENTS LeonJouk, Le Pre Saint-Gervais, France, assignor to Charles N. Breyner, NewYork, N. Y.

Application April 5, 1951, Serial No. 219,432

7 Claims. (Cl. 312223) This invention relates to cabinets provided withone or more mobile elements, the movement of which is controlled by aphotoelectric cell.

'More particularly, the'invention relates to fixture for sterileinstruments such as used for medical purposes in dentistry,otorhinology, laryngology, general surgery, appliance for storingdressings and also to cabinets for food products such as used in pastryshops, butcher shops, delicatessen stores.

Such cabinets are provided either with a door or a tray or other mobileelement and with photoelectric cell means to control the movement ofsuch mobile element.

The invention described herein covers the fixtures used to enclose thesterile instruments utilized by dentists or surgeons and also refers tothe other applications indicated-in the above paragraph 2 (for all foodindustries). The main purpose of this invention is the automatic openingof the cabinet when the practitioner 1 approaches with his hand to takean instrument, and this happens without it being necessary for him totouch any non-sterile part of the cabinet such as e. g. a handle.

The fixture, according to the invention, includes at least one partwhich is mobile in relation to the main structure of the fixture andwhich allows, by being displaced, the access to the sterile instrumentscontained in the said fixture. This motion is controlled by an electricmotor. The fixture also'includes means of emitting a pencil of lightorinfra-red rays (which will be referred to hereunder as the light beam)which is made to pass in front of the mobile part and then onto aphoto-electric cell. The latter is connected with the motor in order topermit displacement of the said part in the direction which allowsaccess to the instruments when the light beam is interrupted and in theopposite direction when the said light beam is reestablished.

Under these conditions, when the practitioner extends his hand to seizean instrument, he interrupts inevitably the light beam and as a resultthe mobile element moves giving access to the instruments. As soon as hewithdraws his hand, after having taken the desired instru' ment, thelight beam is reestablished and the mobile element reassumes itsoriginalposition.

The mobile element may consist of a drawer or tray having the functionof carrying the instruments, and is mounted riding on the main, but alsomobile, element. Or it may consist of a door or panel capable ofshutting 01f the space in which are placed the instruments.

In a favorable manner of execution, the fixture would include severalriding trays holding the instruments, as well as a retractable panel,preferably of transparent material, placed in front of the trays, thispanel being connected to the electric motor in such a manner as to movewhen the light beam is interrupted and before the trays ride out of thefixture.

Further characteristics of the invention will appear in thecomplementary description made hereafter with reference to the annexeddrawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which:

Fig. 1 represents, in perspective, a form of execution of this fixtureaccording to the invention;

1 Whenever the word practitioner appears in this patent, it refers notonly to medical practitioners but also to anyone uls)ing the cabinet inany field as mentioned in paragraph 2 a ove.

2 Likewise instruments can be substituted by objects dealt with inparagraph 2 also.

Fig. 2 is a view of an alternate method of execution, also shown inperspective;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the fixture in Fig. 2, however, showingit in a closed position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that given in Fig. 3, the fixture in thiscase being open;

Fig. 5 is a perspective drawing representing a practical method ofcarrying out the gearing device which controls the movement of the traysand of the retractable panel;

Figs. nection between the photo-electric cell and the motor; and P Fig.8 is a schematic drawing of an alternate variant fixture, according tothe invention.

As represented in Fig. 1, the fixture 1 consists of a recess 2 and isequipped with trays 3 which can ride horizontally and thereby placethemselves in this recess. Means, not represented in the drawings, areforeseen to provide permanent sterilization, hot or cold, of theinstruments placed on the trays 3.

A plate 4 of transparent material such as Plexiglass is mountedvertically on the fixture so as to shut ofi, when it isin a highposition, the space wherein are located the trays when these are putback inside the cabinet. The objects and instruments carried by thetrays are thus kept isolated from the surrounding atmosphere andconsequently are sterile. A projector 5 is provided to send a light beamonto a photo-electric cell 6 after having been reflected on a series ofmirrors such as 7. This produces a barrage of light which is necessarilyinterrupted when one approaches the hand to seize one of the instrumentscarried by the tray. The recess must be sufficiently deep so that whenthe trays emerge they do not cut the light beam; if this were to happen,the trays would never reassume their original position. Thephoto-electric cell 6 e. g. is disposed in such a manner, describedhereafter, that when the light beam is cut, this brings about thelowering of the transparent plate. 4 and the exit of the trays 3- in therecess, and their return to their original position when the light beamis reinstituted.

In the alternate variant sample represented in Fig. 2, the fixture doesnot possess a recess and the optical apparatus is placed a certaindistance in front of the fixture so that the trays in their exteriorposition do not cut the light beam.

In this method of execution, the light beam emitted by the projector 5is transmitted to the cell 6 by the means of two mirrors 7a and 7b.

As can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the trays 3 are fixed on guiding rails8 which can ride on horizontal shafts 9 secured at their rear extremityto the body of the fixture. These trays have on each lateral sidefingers (or catch pins) 10 which are lodged in grooves 11 found in theconnecting rods 12, or in the case of the bottom tray the fingers areattached to the connecting rods. The connecting rods 12 are jointed attheir upper extremity, which is free, to small connecting rods 13, thesethemselves pivoting underneath the upper wall of the cabinet. Anelectric motor 14 is connected by a belt 15 to a driving pulley 16 theaxle of which is connected at each end to a drum 18. On each of thesetwo drums is attached one of the ends of a cable 19 the other end ofwhich is attached to the lower end of plate 4. The diameter of thesedrums is such that half a rotation corresponds to the necessarydisplacement of the plate. The drums possess knobs or crank pins 20which can, when the drums are rotating, engage the fork or prongs fixedto the bottom tray. When the drums assume the position represented inFig. 3, they make possible the descent of plate 4 by a rotation of andcauses the exit of the trays 3, as is seen in Fig. 4. A switch orcommutator which is thrown open when plate 4 is lifted to its closedposition, is provided to stop the motor when the plate and trays havereassumed their original position.

In order to avoid that cables 19 slacken, one can arrange thedisplacement of trays 3 and panel 4 in the manner ascribed in Fig. 5. Acrank 24, with a finger 20 at its end, is secured to a shaft 17 fixed topulleys 16 on each lateral side of the trays. The drums 18 are 6 and 7are electrical diagrams showing the con- 3 I mounted loosely on theshaft 17 and can be drawn by this shaft by means of lugs 26Zz'on thedrums and lugs*26b" on the cranks, said lugs each extending over asector of 90 and said lugs supported by bearings 33.

At-the-be'ginningof the rotation of the shaft '173 in the direction ofthe arrow 25, the--*lugs 2a-make cont-act with the lugs 26b "and as aresult'of'the tension'exertedthe panel 4 opens itselfy Whenthe shaft17"ha's rotated: 180", the panel is completely lowered, and the drumsstop. The shaft 17 continuing to move, thefingers 20' i'nl0 terweavewith the fork 21"and seoure the exit of-the trays'3. -Fork21in-this'case'hasits'slotopeningiup wardly 'bu't said fork is fixed tothe lowest "tray as in Figs;

3 and 4.

The shaft-17 turning in the opposite direction; as soon as the" -1ightbeamhasbeienmeestablishedg the trays 3 return into the cabinet; then,the lugs 26b coming intoi play with the1ugs26a, thei'drums '18 are drawnalohgand the panel 4 returns upwards. 1

his clear from-the above that the cables-19 "do not slacken.In'additiom: the cranks and the forks are placed. 2 at the level of thetrays'and the whole can beenclosed-lin an enclosure 32* which is fairlyinsulating' 'since. 616 01113 1 communication withtheoutside:consists'of the openings for the shaft 17. 2'

Theiielectric-motor 14 should preferablyibe a series motor, the samebeing-of thetyp'eiiin whichla change zin: direction of rotation can.benobtainedwbyt reversing direction of current running through.thewindioatorsi or: field in relation tothe :currentinthearmatureof.:'the'..30 motor.

Referring nowto-Fi'gs. 6 and-7 there is shown a wiring diagramillustrating:.theaelectrical: control forzmotor14- under the influenceof photo-electric tube: Theztermi: 1 na'ls:30 are connected toi' asource'of electricalfienergy I35 (notshown). Armature-28 of 'motor 14 isconnected by" lead 146 lto one. of .the. terminals $30 and also'toswitch 23tby lead.46a;-- Leada46connects switch 23-:toterminal... 421.3The other .tertninaiuiitl' is connected to terminal 114st. byrlead'47iTerminal 44is connectedto terminalw43a40 by. lead. 43a and1terminal 45'is connected-:- by lead :48 'I to switch: 22 (which; inlz'turni iswconnected'vito lead 146m by leadt'49.

A relay-indicatedgenerally by the referen'cernumeral 29.."comprisesiapair of switch arms; 49; 41-'pivoted"aboutw4,5 terminals 27a and adaptedto contact either terminals: 42-; 43 'or terminals 44,45 r Areciprocally movable solenoid: core r129 is connected toarms 4tlg=41andxis activatedz in one;direction-by.a solenoid coil 13d) and in theopposite direct-ion by a springl3lfixed atone end to any'convenientstationary position of the device, saidportion "being 1 indicatedschematically at 132; 1

Terminals .2721 are connectedntowthe field-coil:27:of' motor 14.Solenoid coil 130 is connected at :onezend to t lead .47-=by lead 1335:The other :end of .coil 13% :is connected' 'by'lead 134 to terminal1350f a conventional amplifier 136;tho' otherterrninal .137 of thelatter being connectedeto lead 146 by lead 138;" The-input terminals139,;1140' are connected: to the photo-electric tube-6 by leads141,142,"

When a hand is interposed 'to interrupt the beam of" lightsistrikingphoto-electric tube 6, relay. coil 130 is deenergized to move switcharms 46*, 41-from the position shown in Fig. -6 to that shown in Fig. 7.Switch 23 is openxwhen plate 4 is in itsuppermost position closing 6thecabinets Movement of plate 4 downwardly. will cause I switch 23 toopen.- Switch 22 is closedby the lowermost tray whenzthe cabinet isclosed, as shownin the position of Fig. 3, but is opened whenxthe. traysmove to the open position of Fig. 4. I Switches 22,23 are preferablyacti-' vated-bycontactwith the lowermost tray and plate 4 in aconventional manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

Fig; 6 illustrates'theposition of Fig. 3 when the cabi-w net :is closed.In suchposition switch 23is open and: switch 22'i's closed; The circuitthrough the'armature 28is open because switch 23 is open and the motorthereforeis stopped.- However, when a hand is interposed .in the1path.of I the. .light'ray from the :photo electric cell, the circuittozthe.photo electricncell is open andthe. relay 29 is deenergized,.lmovingswitch arms 4% 41 from the 80 position of Fig; 6 to the position of Fig.7. The current then flows through armature 28' through wires 46a, 48a,-switch 22, wire 43, terminal 45; switch arm '41, inductor 27," switcharm '40, wires 43a'and 47. The'motor pro ceeds to move theplate 4downwardly and'to 'there'aftensgi move the trays forwardly through theopening in the cabinet?" Assoon'a's'the"plate"4 moves'awayfronrswitch"23, it closes and when the trays 3 are fully projected, the switch 22opens itself as shown in Fig. 7, thereby stopping the motor. Thisposition is illustrated in Fig. 7 which now shows switch 22 open.

When the hand is thereafter. taken away from its position, interruptingthe lightthrough the photo electric cell 6, thecircuit=tothet'relayf29lis again completed and the switch arms 40, 41move back to the position of Fig. 6. At this'time switch :23 is closedsothat current passes through thetinductor'27 in areversedirection-thereby reversing the direction of the motor andcausing trays 3 to move ba'ckinto the cabinet andthe'plateytothereaftermove up to its closing position of Fig. .-.4. Such operation again opensswitch 23'"and closes switch 22, but the opening of switch 23 when theswitch arms 40, 41 are engaging terminals 42, 43 prevents any currentfrom passing through. .Yinductors 275 and. rotation :of r'thermotorstops:

It is understood that one can; witho'ntxdivergirrg from :2 thez'basic."frame r-of the :invention,r.-modify l theitdetaiis; of theimanners of.executiontof thezfixtureas :dfiSCIlbEdiEtbOl/C. 1; Thus,.e. gv plate 4,instead of .movingrup, and: down, could. bemounted.pivotingiaround a:horizontal axis, as is shown in :Fig. 38. =.Theicontrol-.of=.tl 1ertraysand thezplate'sor inn general of the mobile element, could becarriedtoubvbyvmeans of an eccentric axle, a cam,;leversorzentirely'tdifferentdevices." Oneicouldplan a hand: operated-cranky:to obscure the photo-electric cell-or the projectorzwhen; the'drawersare open; in orders-to maintain thisposition.

Having thus described: myinvention; I claims as new: and desire tosecure by-Letters Patent? 1. In combination, a cabinet-formedwith anopening, a panel to close said opening, a tray movably mounted with inrsaid-cabinet and movable through; said opening, an electric reversiblemotor, meanscontrolledbyrthei'motor. to openthe'panel andzthereafter tomove said traythrough i said opening upon rotating-the motort-in one-direction"- and to retract-said trayinto the cabinet throughsaid-opening and thereafter-close said.- panel upon irotatinga saidmotor in :an opposite-tdirectionand. photo-electric cell-w means =.tocontrol the. direction of Irotation-of said motor 2. and..includingmeans to project. a beam -adapted to be 1" interrupted by movement of an.operatofls .hand-radja'cent said .cabinet.

2. .ln-combination; a cabinet-formed.withanopening, a panel slidablerelative tothetcabinet to positions 'covering. and uncoveringsaidopening, a. pluralityof trays" slidably mounted within said-cabinetone-abovetheuother and movable through,saidopening-When.it is uncovered,anelectric motor-withint'thecabinet, means-controlled by i said motor toslidably move said panel from covering to 2:

"uncovering position and to thereafter-move said trays through said.opening so. asntoprojectfrom -said cabinet upon rotating-saidamotor inone direction tofirst retract Saidtrays intosaid.cabinet-and-thereafter-move said-panel .back to covering positionupon. rotating said motor .in anopposite.direction,-photo-electric'cellcrneans' to control thedirectionofsaid:motor'includingmeans to" t projectthe light" beam.exteriorly of. the cabinet and. means to receive said light. beamwhereby the handof the operator moving across the: beam willinterruptthel-beami.

3. In combination, a cabinet-formedfwithsa frontop'en- 5 ing, a panel:slidable up and down at'thei' fIOH'C'OfTthC cabinet toclose-randzopen-"said opening,wa pluralityof trays slidably mountedwithin said cabinet, a slottedlink interconnecting said trays,'"adiskrotatablymounted 'with in the cabinet electric motor control meansto rotate said disk, a pin on said disk, a fork on one of-said traysengageable with said pin and a cable interconnecting said disk with saidpanel.

4. 'In combination, a cabinet formed with an opening, a panel to closesaid opening, a tray within said cabinet and movable through saidopeninganelectrio'motor within said cabinet, means controlled by saidelectric motor to first open the' panel and then project thetray throughsaid opening uponrotating said motorin one direction, and for retractingsaid tray into the cabinet and then closing said-panel upon rotatingsaid motor in an opposite direction and photoelectric cell means tocontrol the operation of said motor.

5. Theicombinatio'n ofclaim 4, in'cornbination with means toautomatically stop the'op'eration'of said motor after projection of saidtray and after the closing of said panel, respectively.

6. The combination of claim 4, said photo-electric cell means, includingmeans to project a light beam adapted to be interrupted by movement ofthe operators hand adjacent the cabinet.

7. In combination, a cabinet formed with an opening, a panel to closesaid opening, a tray within said cabinet and movable through saidopening, an electric motor Within said cabinet, means controlled by saidelectric motor to first open the panel and then project the tray throughsaid opening upon rotating said motor in one direction, and forretracting said tray into the cabinet and then closing said panel uponrotating said motor in an opposite direction, and photo-electric cellmeans to control the operation of said motor, means to automaticallystop the operation of said motor after projection of said tray and afterthe closing of said panel, respectively, said photo-electric cell meansincluding means to project a light beam adapted to be interrupted bymovement of the operators hand adjacent said cabinet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

